Daijiworld Media Network - Ranchi
Ranchi, Nov 29: India head into the opening ODI against South Africa in Ranchi on Sunday with several selection questions, particularly at the top of the order, as veterans Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli look to consolidate their places in the 50-over setup. The three-match series is set to be a critical proving ground for the senior batters ahead of the next ODI World Cup.
Ranchi holds special significance for Rohit, who made his full-time opener debut here in 2013. Eleven years later, he returns in search of another chapter in his storied career. However, India are without Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Shubman Gill, and Shreyas Iyer, leaving captain KL Rahul and coach Gautam Gambhir with both opportunities and headaches as they shape the squad.
South Africa arrive full of momentum following their recent Test series triumph, relying on rising pacers Gerald Coetzee and Nandre Burger, alongside Keshav Maharaj’s dependable spin. The visitors, brimming with confidence, present a formidable challenge in the limited-overs format.
For India, the absence of Shubman Gill due to a neck injury has created a gap at the top. The selectors have turned to Yashasvi Jaiswal and Ruturaj Gaikwad, who represent contrasting styles and experiences. Gaikwad returns after 16 months, riding on a stellar performance for South Africa A, while Jaiswal retains his place from the Australia tour, highlighting his explosive potential.
The series could provide clarity on India’s long-term opening strategy. Jaiswal brings aggressive stroke play and left-handed variation, whereas Gaikwad offers composure and technical solidity. With only one likely to cement the role alongside Rohit in the future, the series doubles as a high-stakes audition.
India, smarting from a 0-2 Test defeat, face a South African side that has already exceeded expectations. Temba Bavuma’s men now aim to carry their success into the white-ball series.
Match Details:
• When: Sunday, November 30, 1:30 PM IST
• Where: JSCA International Stadium Complex, Ranchi
• Watch Live: Star Sports Network | JioHotstar
Squads:
India: Rohit Sharma, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, Tilak Varma, KL Rahul (c) (wk), Rishabh Pant (wk), Washington Sundar, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Harshit Rana, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Prasidh Krishna, Arshdeep Singh, Dhruv Jurel
South Africa: Temba Bavuma (c), Ottneil Baartman, Corbin Bosch, Matthew Breetzke, Dewald Brevis, Nandre Burger, Quinton de Kock, Tony de Zorzi, Rubin Hermann, Keshav Maharaj, Marco Jansen, Aiden Markram, Lungi Ngidi, Ryan Rickelton, Prenelan Subrayen